Prayer for the Day

by Revd Canon David White

17th May 2026 - 7th Sunday of Easter

When we stand gazing upwards, bring us down to earth:
with the love of a friend,
through the songs of the sorrowing,
in the faces of the hungry.

When we look to you for action, demand some work from us:
by your touch of fire,
your glance of reproof,
your fearful longing.

As ruler over all:
love us into action,
fire us with your zeal,
enrich us with your grace,
to make us willing subjects of your rule.    Amen.

This prayer was written by Janet Nightingale, a writer and songwriter who has been connected to Christian Aid for many years. Christian Aid Week, which ended yesterday, is an annual event where churches, communities and households come together to support people living in many different countries all of whom are struggling with poverty in one way or another. Today is the Sunday after Ascension Day when we continue to think about the ascension of Jesus and its meaning for us. The temptation is, like the first disciples, to stand looking towards God but, as this prayer reminds us, we need to ask God to ‘bring us down to earth’. We must look around us and realise that we cannot leave the objects and aims of Christian Aid Week behind for another year but must continue to care and provide for the ‘sorrowing’ and the ‘hungry’.

We are encouraged in all our continuing work for others by the example Jesus set for us during his life and who now, as the risen, ascended ‘ruler over all’, inspires us to work for the wellbeing others by his love and grace.